Many of our customers will be aware that the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) has recently written to users of MIQUEST to ascertain their views on the future of the software. MIQUEST is not currently compatible with SNOMED CT and a significant amount of work would be required to update the enquirer and interpreter elements of the software.
We understand that in parallel to the consultation, a feasibility study is underway to look at the options and costs for updating MIQUEST to make it SNOMED CT compatible. It has been agreed, however, that there is no central funding to make the required changes to the enquirer software and updating the interpreters will be outside current contract arrangements with the GP system suppliers. HSCIC is gathering information on the business impact of turning MIQUEST off completely and is gauging whether there is an appetite to pay a licence fee for its future use, to cover updating and maintenance costs. HSCIC is not proposing an alternative extraction method to MIQUEST, but is considering its removal as an avenue for future primary care data extraction.
We would urge anyone routinely using MIQUEST to make their views known to HSCIC as soon as possible. Since not all users of MIQUEST will be registered users of the enquirer software, the extent of the business impact could be underestimated unless all current users come forward. There is a significant number of individuals and organisations that currently use MIQUEST, including many local NHS bodies and the primary care research community.
We produce all our audit tools in MIQUEST. As a major proponent of MIQUEST, we welcome the consultation by HSCIC and, should it be agreed that there is a business case for the continuation of MIQUEST, have made suggestions for its improvement (outside of making it SNOMED CT compatible).
In readiness of the potential end of MIQUEST, we have been exploring alternative ways to extract data from primary care. Regardless of the eventual status of MIQUEST, it is likely that we will use a variety of different data extraction methods to suit the needs and requirements of customers and sponsors of our audit tools.
Furthermore, we are currently undergoing a programme of internal training and development, and updating our internal tools, enabling us to produce specifications in SNOMED CT later this year.
We will be providing our customers with further updates throughout the year.
HSCIC letter to MIQUEST users
Applied Health Research Building University Park University of Nottingham Nottingham, NG7 2RD